Dispenser for disposable fibrous sheeting



United States Patent Inventor Lewis H. Gardner Camden, South Carolina App]. No. 689,225 Filed Nov. 20, 1967 Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 610,312, Feb. 19, 1967, abandoned. Patented Nov. 17, 1970 Assignee Timely Enterprises, Inc.

Camden, South Carolina a corporation of South Carolina DISPENSER FOR DISPOSABLE FIBROUS SHEETING 3 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

U.S. C1 83/451, 83/374, 83/482, 83/487, 83/582, 83/614, 83/649 Int. Cl B26d 7/02, B26d 1/ 18 Field of Search 83/649,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 414,453 11/1889 Simmons 83/487X 727,895 5/1903 Byde 83/486 845,658 2/1907 Lowenberg.. 83/649X 1,991,698 2/1935 Powers 83/650X 2,187,134 l/1940 McCarthy 83/65OX 3,397,603 8/1968 Griswold 83/650X FORElGN PATENTS 564,056 11/1932 Germany 83/485 689,422 3/1953 Great Britain 83/489 Primary Examinerlames M. Meister Attorney-Bailey & Dority ABSTRACT: A roll of continuous disposable fibrous sheet material for use as a protective cover over an article of furniture and the like is carried by a wheeled vehicle. A longitudinal blade is carried in fixed relation to the wheeled vehicle on one side of the path of the sheet material when it is fed from the roll. A rotary blade is carried for longitudinal movement in overlapping relation to the fixed blade for cutting the material feeding same from the roll by a shearing action exerted between the rotary blade and the fixed blade.

Patented Nov. 17, 1970 3,540,337

-h-S ,/C

INVENTOR. LEWIS H.GARDNER BY W :44,

ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 17, 1970 Sheet INVENTOR. LEWIS H. GARDNER 6M ATTORNEYS.

fig 7.

DISPENSER FOR DISPOSABLE FIBROUS SHEETING This invention relates to a dispenser for disposable fibrous sheet material, and more particularly to a dispenser for bed sheets for use on institutional beds, tablecloths, and the like.

This is a continuation-in-part of my copending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 610,312, filed Jan. 19, 1967,now abandoned, entitled DISPENSER FOR DISPOSABLE BED Sl-IEETING AND THE LIKE.

Sheet material composed primarily of paper having cross strands of nylon or orlon scrim has been used for disposable articles, including bed sheets for use on hospital and motel beds. It is contemplated that such may also be used for cutting substantial widths of disposable fibrous sheet material as would be used for pillow cases, tablecloths in institutional dining rooms, and the like. The problem has been one of packaging and storing such disposable sheet material. Heretofore, bed sheeting constructed of such material has been packaged in individual packages or in bundles for use on institutional beds. Such packaging requires the expenditure of time, material and expense, and the packages present somewhat of a. storage problem. It is impractical with present cutting and dispensing devices to supply bed sheets, for example, from a length of material which may be cut to desired lengths. This is because the scrim is difficult to cut and since the scrim resists cutting when a cutting device is passed thereacross, and tends to tear the material at right angles producing an uneven edge, and also rapidly dulls the cutting edge of the blade. Due to the rather extensive width of such material, other cutting blades having a scissors effect Including a Guillotine-type cutter, are impractical due to the excessive blade length which must be employed.

Accordingly, it is an important object of this invention to provide a dispenser for disposable fibrous sheet material capable of cutting extensive widths thereof providing an even edge.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of a dispenser for a disposable fibrous sheet material from which the material may be fed from a roll in a desired length and then easily and safely cut leaving a smooth even edge.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a dispenser for disposable fibrous sheet material capable of conveying a roll thereof through institutional quarters, including hallways, bedrooms and dining rooms for the purpose of dispensing same in open width and safely and easily cutting same after a desired length of material has been dispensed.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereof.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawingsforming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation illustrating a dispenser and cutter constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a dispenser and cutter illustrated in'FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic front elevation illustrating the dispenser and cutter constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional elevation at an enlarged scale illustrating the cutter and associated parts taken on the line 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional elevation at an enlarged scale taken on the line 55 in FIG. 3 further illustrating the cutter and associated parts;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a modified form of a dispenser and cutter constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 is an enlarged side elevational view, partially in section of the cutter assembly illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7; and

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the cutter assembly illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8.

The drawings illustrate a dispenser for disposable fibrous sheet material including bed sheets for use on institutional beds and the like. A roll A of continuous disposable fibrous sheet material is of such a width and construction as to proadjacent across and on one side of the path of the sheet material when it is fed from the roll. A rotary blade E is mounted for longitudinal movement on the other side of the sheet material in overlapping relation to the fixed blade for rotating with respect to the fixed blade to shear the sheet material when moved longitudinally of the support across the sheet material. Means F is provided for moving the rotary blade across the sheet material to effect such shearing action after the sheet material has been fed over the bed from the roll. Thus, disposable bed sheets may be conveniently transported and dispensed from a continuous roll for use on institutional beds and the like, while conserving storage space.

The roll A of continuous disposable fibrous sheet material is constructed primarily of paper stock having other elongated fibrous crossmembers known as scrim. Such material includes: Kaycel, manufactured by Kimberly-Stevens of New York City, New York, Kimblon, manufactured by Kimberly-Clark of Neenah, Wisconsin, Tyvek, a spunbonded olefin material manufactured by E. I. DuPont De Nemours & Co. of Wilmington, Delaware, and Dua-Weve, manufactured by Scott Paper Co. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The substantially horizontal support B carries the roll for permitting the sheet material to be fed therefrom in open width. The support B is carried by the elongated wheeled vehicle, and includes a pair of inwardly projecting members 10 and II, each having a depression 10a and 11a, respectively, adjacent the free ends thereof for carrying a rod or spindle 12 upon which the roll ofsheet material is wound.

The wheeled vehicle C includes an upper platform constructed of elongated horizontal members 13 and 14, respectively, and transverse end members 15 and 16. A brace 13a is spaced below the frame member 13. A vertical post 17 is provided in each corner of the upper support formed by the sides 13 and I4 and side members 15 and 16. A lower substantially rectangular platform I8 carries the usual caster wheels 19, at least one of which is provided with a usual type of footlock 20. Transverse reinforcing members 21 are provided to add rigidity to the lower platform 18.

A longitudinal blade D is carried in fixed relation to the support B closely adjacent across and on one side of the path of the sheet material when it is fed from the roll A. The longitudinal blade D is carried upon the elongated horizontal member 14 (FIG. 4), and is provided with a spacer 22 and a cover 23, all of which are secured together by longitudinally spaced countersunk screws 24. It will be observed that the longitudinal blade D extends inwardly of the assembly just described, and is in overlapping relation with the rotary blade E. In other words, the rotary blade E extends downwardly past the upper surface of the blade D so as to cause the disposable fibrous sheet material passed across the fixed blade D to shear when the blade E is rotated thereacross.

The rotary blade E is mounted for longitudinal movement on the side of the sheet material opposite the fixed blade D, and is mounted to rotate within the means F provided for moving the rotary blade across the sheet material. The means F includes a vertical standard 25 which carries a rotary blade or shear wheel assembly which carries the rotary blade E. The shear wheel assembly includes a hub 26 to which the rotary blade E is attached by circumferentially spaced screws 27. A tubular stub shaft 28 carries the assembly and is fastened to the standard 25 by the bolt 29 which is provided with a jam nut 30. Suitable antifriction means including ball bearings 31 carry the hub 26 for rotation on the stub shaft 28. The stand 25 carries a guard which includes a vertical portion 32 which is fastened thereon as by longitudinally spaced screws 33. The vertical portion 32 has a portion extending over the cutter wheel as indicated at 320 and a downwardly extending portion 34 which extends over the cutter wheel so that the cutter wheel is positioned between the vertical portions 32 and 34. The downwardly extending portion 34 has a horizontal slot 34a therein which receives the material to be cut as the carriage is moved along the monorail 35.

The monorail or track 35 extends longitudinally of the wheeled vehicle, and is attached thereto by a support 35a having spaced screws 35!) which pass into the track. The means F includes a carriage 36 which rides upon the track and carries upper wheels 36a and a lower wheel 36b. The wheels 36a and 36b are secured to a vertical support 360 as by stub shafts 3611 by suitable fastening means including the nuts 36a. The carriage 36 is provided with lower horizontal stub shafts 37 and an upper horizontal stub shaft 38. The upper stub shaft extends slidably through the standard 25 and is provided with a nut 39 and washer 39a. The lower stub shafts 37 are provided with nuts 40. A compression spring 41 is carried by each of the stub shafts 37 which momentarily push the lower portion of the standard outwardly toward the right-hand portion of FIG. 4, while a compression spring 42 is provided for pushing the upper portion of the standard 25 inwardly thus, causing the cutter wheel E to press against the fixed blade D to ensure and efficient shearing action. A guard in the form of a tubular bar 43 carries the material to be cut thereunder, the material being illustrated as coming off the roll A in broken lines in FIG. 3, and into the horizontal slot 34a from whence it is passed over the fixed horizontal blade B to be progressively cut by the rotary blade E.

The means for moving said rotary blade F may also include a handle 44 which is pivoted at a lower portion of the wheeled vehicle as at 45. The upper portion of the handle extends inwardly as at 440. The handle operates a multiplier wherein movement of the handle, from solid to broken line position in FIG. 1, results in a greater movement of the carriage than is imparted to the handle. A suitable multiplier generally includes a block and tackle arrangement which is broadly designated at 45 in FIG. 1. A double idler block assembly 46 is fastened to the wheeled vehicle adjacent the right-hand vertical standard 17 underneath the carriage 36. A second double block assembly 47 has a sliding carriage 48 which is mounted for sliding movement on the guide rod assembly 49. The guide rod assembly 49 is attached as by brackets 50 to the upper support platform of the wheeled vehicle. A tension spring 51 normally pulls the carriage 58 toward the left-hand portion of the wheeled vehicle in FIG. 1. The block and tackle assembly includes a cable 52 (FIG. 5), which is secured as at 52a to the carriage 36 and which passes thence over the inner of the double idler pulleys 46 and thence thereunder passing under the innermost pulley of the assembly 47 and thence thereover and over the top of the outer pulley ofthe assembly 46, under such pulley and around the outer pulley of the assembly 47 from whence it passes to a point of attachment with the frame of the wheeled vehicle (not shown). The handle 44 carries a double sheave assembly 53 while a single sheave 54 is carried by the rear portion of the wheeled vehicle. A cable 55 has attachment as at 55a (FIG. 5) with the carriage 36, and from thence passes over and around the outermost sheave of the assembly 53 under and around the sheave 54, and thence under and around the innermost sheave of the assembly 53 to a point of attachment (not shown) with the frame of the wheeled vehicle. While a simple handle (not shown) may be carried by the standard 25 for moving the cutter wheel E across the width of fabric, the multiplier and associated parts described herein greatly facilitate practical operation of the cutter.

While the sheet material is described as being fed from the roll in entirely open, single width, it is to be understood that such may be folded lengthwise to form a width of several thicknesses.

It is thus seen that movement of the handle 44 outwardly about its pivot 54 will multiply such movement in resulting movement of the .cutter wheel E causing same to traverse the entire width of the roll A. It will be further observed that the cutter wheel is provided with a sharpening action by virtue of the spring mounting described above. The weight of the material being fed from the roll A after such has been fed across the bed will normally exert sufficient tension to promote proper cutting action of the blade E while tension on the opposite side of the blade E will be caused by the weight of the material forming the roll A. If necessary a hold-down mechanism of any suitable type may be provided to supplement the weight of the material prior to cutting and a standard friction assembly may be provided to supplement the friction produced as a result of the weight of the material forming the roll A bearing down upon the mounting therefor described above. A handle 44b is provided upon the frame of the wheeled vehicle for facilitating pushing of the entire device.

FIGS. 6 through 9 illustrate a modified form of the inven tion, and includes a substantially horizontal support B upon which a roll of sheet material is carried. The support B is carried by the elongated wheeled vehicle, and includes a pair of opposed inclined track members 56 and 57, respectively. Each of the inclined track members has a depression 58 adjacent the lower end thereof for carrying the rod 12 upon which the roll of sheet material A is wound.

The wheeled vehicle C includes an upper platform constructed of elongated horizontal members 59 and 60, respectively, and transverse elongated end members 61 and 62. A bracing member 63 is also connected between the end members 61 and 62. A vertical post 64 is provided in each corner of the upper support formed by the horizontal members 59 and 60, and the end members 61 and 62. A lower substantially rectangular platform 65 carries the usual caster 66. Transverse reinforcing members (not shown) are provided for adding rigidity to the lower platform 65. I

The inclined track members 56 are welded between a corner post 64 and a vertical support member 67 carried between the lower platform 65 and end members 61 or 62. The track has a vertical flange 68 with an inwardly extending horizontal flange 69 integral therewith upon which the rod 12 of the roll is placed when inserting the roll within the depression 58. The roll A is loaded from the side of the wheeled vehicle C. It is noted that the paper roll A is carried on spools 70.

A traversing member, generally designated at 71 is mounted above the end members 61 and 62, respectively, on a pair of elongated horizontal rods 72 and 73, respectively, which extend across the vehicle. The horizontal rod 72 is mounted adjacent an upper end of a vertical standard 74 which has its lower end attached by any suitable means to the end member 62. The horizontal rod 73 is attached to the upper end of a vertical standard 75, which also has its lower end attached to the end member 62. A similar pair of spaced vertical members 74 and 75 are carried on the other end of the wheeled vehicle for supporting the other end of the rods 72 and 73.

The traversing member includes a pair of sleeves 76 and 77 which are carried on the rods 72 and 73 by means ofa bearing 78. The bearings 78 allow the sleeves to move longitudinally along the rod, as well as allows the sleeve 76 to pivot relative to the rod 73. The traversing member has a pair of spaced side walls 79 which extend downwardly from a top plate 80 on both sides of the sleeves 76 and 77. Screws 81 extend through the top plate and into the downwardly extending space side walls 79 for holding such together.

Screws (not shown) also extend through the side walls 79 into the sleeve 77 for fixing such relative thereto. The sleeve 76 is not connected to the sidewalls, and as a result, such can pivot relative to the rod 73. A supporting arm 80a is connected to the sleeve 76 by means of screws 83 so that such pivots with the sleeve. The supporting arm is bent downwardly from adjacent the sleeve 76 and has a bifurcated lower end 84 to which a cutter wheel device is welded. The other end of the supporting arm is forced upwardly within the traversing member 71 by means ofa spring 85 recessed in a hole 85a carried in the lower portion of the supporting arm and a hole 85b in the sleeve 77. Such is to maintain the rotary blade E in contact with the vertical side edge of the longitudinal blade D.

The longitudinal blade D is supported on an angle iron 86 which is welded adjacent its end to the end members 61 and 62, respectively. A flat elongated horizontal feed plate 87 is also welded between the end members 61 and 62, respectively. When the sheet material 88 is taken off the roll A, such is fed over a roller 89 carried between the end members 61 and 62, and over the feed plate 87, and under the cutter blade E. A feed roller 90 is carried in bearings 91 positioned on the end members 61 and 62, respectively. The feed roller 90 has a rubber roughened surface of a high coefficient of friction for holding the sheet material thereunder during and after the cutting operation.

The rotary blade E is mounted between a pair of spaced sidewalls 92 and 93 in a similar manner, as illustrated in FIG. 4, so that such rotates freely as the cutting assembly is moved across the sheet material to shear the sheet material. The sidewalls 92 and93 are joined by means of screws 94 to a top wall (not shown). A vertical rod 95 having one end connected to the top wall between the side members 92 and 93 by any suitable means, such as welding, extends upwardly through a vertical bore 96 extending through a sleeve 97 which is welded between the bifurcated end 84 of the supporting arm 82. A pair of locking nuts 98 are screwed on the upper end of the vertical rod 95 to secure the rod in the sleeve 97.

A spring 99 having one end recessed in an enlarged bore 100 located at the lower end of the sleeve 97 is carried on the vertical rod 95 so as to force the cutting blade downwardly against the longitudinal blade D during the cutting operation. The lower end of the spring 99 abuts against the top plate joining the sidewalls 92 and 93.

A pairof spaced rotating positioning members 101 and 102 are carried on the sidewall 93 for holding the paper sheet against the horizontal flange portion 103 of-the angle iron 86 during the cutting operation. lt has been found that sometimes at the beginning of the cutting operation when the rotary blade E comes into contact with the edge of the paper such will wrinkle interferring with the starting of the cutting operation. In order to minimize this, the wheel 101 presses the paper sheet against the track or horizontal flange 103 holding such in position so that as the leading edge of the cutter blade E engages the sheet material a clean cut is produced. The wheel 102 is rotatably positioned on the other side of the cutter blade for performing the same operation when the traversing member is moved along the horizontal rods 72 and 73, respectively, in the opposite direction. In a preferred embodiment the rotating members 101 and 102 are pneumatic wheels rotatably mounted on posts 104.

A protective guard in the form of a semicircular sheet metal member 105 is carried between the corners 64 and extends across the vehicle so as to catch the paper in case such unravels from the roll.

in operation the sheet material 88 is fed from the roll A over the roller 89, under the feed roller 90, and out. beyond the cutter blade E. Initially, the cutter blade is pushed to one end of the rods 72 and 73. The cutter blade is then moved across the vehicle by pulling on the handle 106. The rotation of the cutter blade E relative to the sidewall of the longitudinal blade D shears the paper sheet 88. During this shearing operation the rotating positioning members 101 and 102 hold the sheet material flush against the track 103.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

lclaim:

1. A dispenser for substantial widths of disposable fibrous sheet covering material including bed sheets for use on institutional furniture and the like comprising, a roll of continuous disposable fibrous sheet material being of such a width and construction as to provide a protective cover for the furniture when spread thereon, a substantially horizontal support carrying said roll for permitting the sheet material to be fed therefrom over the furniture, and elongated wheeled vehicle carrying said support longitudinally thereon at about the height of the furniture permitting said support to be pushed adjacent the furniture in alignment therewith, a longitudinal blade carried in fixed relation to said support closely adjacent across and on one side of the path of said sheet material when said sheet material is fed from said roll, a rotary blade mounted for longitudinal movement on the other side of said sheet material in overlapping relation to said fixed blade for rotating with respect to said fixed blade to shear said sheet material when moved longitudinally of said support across said sheet material, and means for moving said rotary blade across said sheet material to effect such shearing action after the sheet material has been fed over the furniture from the roll, a spring biased pivotal supporting arm, said rotary blade being carried adjacent one end of said spring biased pivotal supporting arm for maintaining said rotary blade in contact with said longitudinal blade when said sheet material is being sheared, whereby substantial widths of disposable sheet material may be conveniently transported and dispensed from a continuous roll for use on institutional furniture and the like while conserving storage space.

2. A dispenser for substantial widths of disposable fibrous sheet material including bed sheets for use on furniture and the like comprising: a roll of continuous disposable fibrous sheet material being of such a width and construction as to provide a protective cover for the furniture when spread thereon, a substantially horizontal support carrying said roll for permitting the sheet material to be fed therefrom; a longitudinal blade carried in fixed relation to said support closely adjacent across and on one side of the path of said sheet material when said sheet material is fed from said roll; a cutting assembly including, a traversing member provided for moving across said sheet during the cutting of said sheet; a pivotal supporting arm carried by said traversing member; a rotary blade carried adjacent one end of said pivotal arm on the opposite side of said sheet material from said longitudinal blade and in overlapping relation to said fixed longitudinal blade for rotating with respect to said fixed blade to shear said sheet material when moved across said sheet material; and spring biased means carried adjacent the other end of said supporting arm for maintaining said rotary blade in contact with said longitudinal blade during said cutting operation.

3. The dispenser as set forth in claim 2 further comprising: a track positioned adjacent said longitudinal blade, and positioning members carried ahead of the leading cutting edge of said rotary blade for holding said sheet against said track as said rotary blade cuts said sheet in order to produce a clean cut. 

